By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
September 22, 2015-Michelle Betos, an alumna of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and a graduate of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), was voted the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2015 season. Her award was voted on by a selection of journalists that cover the NWSL on a consistent basis plus club officials, players and fans.
“I’m so honored to receive the Goalkeeper of the Year Award in a league full of incredible goalkeepers but this is way more a reflection of the Thorns team that played in front of me and the fans that are always behind us,” Michelle commented.
The 27-year-old from Flushing became the first Thorns player to win a league award, making 45 saves and posting a 1.286 goals-against-average in 14 appearances for Portland this season.
She recorded two shutouts while earning a 5-7-2 record with the Thorns and was in net for all but one of Portland's victories. Her 1,260 minutes ranked third in the league among goalkeepers and is a career high.
Most dramatically, Michelle became the first goalkeeper in NWSL history to score a goal, a 95th-minute equalizer when she headed in a corner kick from midfielder Allie Long, another Eastern New York ODP and LIJSL graduate, in a 1-1 draw with FC Kansas City on June 19.
As an 18-year-old in 2006, she helped lead the Long Island Fury to the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) national championship in their expansion season. It was then on to the University of Georgia, where she made 316 saves, ranking third all-time at Georgia, and second in shutout count (26) and win totals (48).
During the 2009 W-League season, Michelle played for the Atlanta Silverbacks, leading them to the Southeast Division title with a 10-1-1 record while being honored as W-League Goalkeeper of the Year. In 2011, Michelle played keeper for the WPSL’s Boston Aztec Breakers Reserves. She was in goal for the New York Fury of WPSL Elite in 2012, then for Cyprus’ Apollon Limassol in the UEFA Champions League before signing with the NWSL, playing for Seattle Reign in the 2013 inaugural season and for Portland the past two years.
In youth soccer, Michelle played for Eastern New York ODP and Region 1 ODP, both for three years. She also competed for the LIJSL’s Albertson Fury ‘87. Paul Riley has coached her on four teams––Albertson Fury ‘87, Long Island Fury, New York Fury and with the Portland Thorns.
“Michelle has really developed all aspects of her game the last few years and her maturity into a top-class goalkeeper has been fantastic to witness. She made a lot of key saves at important times, has great organizational qualities and her presence has grown with her confidence,” said Coach Riley. “Obviously, nobody will forget her world class diving header goal but she truly has shown how dedication and commitment can improve your game. She had a memorable season and a huge congrats for being voted Goalkeeper of the Year because when you play in the same league as Barnhart, Solo, Angerer, Harris, you really have to play consistently well to achieve this kind of accolade.”
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.